DIY: Thermostat Replacement
 

Here is pretty much the easiest way to change a thermostat.

Step one, get together a Philips screwdriver, 10mm socket, 12 mm socket, ratchet, about 20 different length extensions, a universal joint, a six pack and some bandaids.

Step B, Using the Philips screw driver remove the radiator coolant drain plug with a suitable catch container underneath. You don't need to drain all the coolant, but I did as it needed a flush anyway. Drink a beer.

Step 3, remove the air pump valve and set aside. Place a suitable FME plug in it to prevent dropping anything bad down there. Drink a beer.

Step Threeve, de-tension the alternator remove the tension bolt and loosen the nuts that hold the alternator bracket on. Please note that these also hold the water pump on so it's important to get them good and snug when you put everything back. Drink a beer.

Step IV, remove the nut and bolt from the top of the thermostat housing as well as the hoses. Drink a beer.

Step Cinco, rotate the thermostat housing slightly while pulling back the pipe for the air pump. If successful it saves a little hastle. Drink two beers.

Alternatively you can go underneath and loosen the nuts that hold the pipe on to get enough wiggle room. Which I had to do this time, but not the first time.

Then just put everything back good and tight, and fill up your coolant. Marvel at how handy you are while drinking a beer and placing bandaids on your cuts.

Please note your 8 will look different from mine. any parts that are on yours and not on mine or vise verse are probably supposed to be that way. If your 8 looks just like mine, gimme my car back! Oh and yes I know the pictures suck.

hey quick question, would this thermostat affect the temp gauge of the engine? i have a feeling i need to replace either the sensor or the thermostat controlling the gauge and cool down fans. any info would be awesome. on a side note i highly enjoyed how you mentioned to have a been in your instructions

thanks for the DIY, revival bump for being helpful. :D:

Not sure I want to know what the purple rats nest of connectors is for ;)

Have a beer...best part...made me LOL :)

That was an ECU splice that let me try lean burn, and more importantly than all that let me prove MM wrong. Learned a lot about the ECU from that.

Note that the orientation of the thermostat is important. Do it like the drawing in the FSM shows.

Also, when the water pump/alternator bolts are removed, it will likely dribble a little coolant. Be prepared with a couple of paper towels.

Help with removal
 

Hey guys, I tried replacing my thermostat this weekend but couldn't get to the two lower alternator bracket bolts to loosen them. The water pump pulley is too close to get a closed end wrench or socket on them and there is not enough room to move the wrench even with the open end on the bolts. What do you guys use to loosen those bolts? I thought about going to Autozone and getting a really long 12mm wrench...

Thanks,
Allen

There are many ways to get them off. You could also just remove the water pump pulley. It's all about the tools.

I always remove the water pump pulley. No reason to leave it there, it just gets in the way.

Sorry to revive old threads, but would this be what I'm looking for?

Stant 48478 Thermostat OE Exact Thermostat | eBay

Anyone have trouble getting the screws off the air pump valve?

well i'm rotarded, didn't realize it was the bolts underneath there you're supposed to take off.

I got drunk on step 5

congratulations, not giving a fudge at that point is what gets you through it

That all sounds good & it's true; it's all about the tools... for leverage though, I'll be utilizing vodka instead of beer.